'25 IL DE Christopher Burgess (Notre Dame Signee)

IrishInOntario

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That DT - 285 pound roster update is gonna hit like crack
Driskell keeps noting that he's actually heard that Burgess will come into spring north of 290lbs. I'll be curious to see if that's accurate. I really do think he could be a stellar 3-tech in that 295lb range.

I've been saying for a little while that with Burgess obviously bulking up to play 3 tech on the interior, and Cole Mullins possibly having to work unnaturally hard to get into that 285-290lb range... I wouldn't mind them actually cutting weight off Mullins into the 265lb range and giving him a long look as a 2 down defensive end (much like Burnham).

I actually think Mullins is a pretty darn good football player, but he was injured as a freshman, and caught in between weights as a sophomore. He heads into 2026 with 3 years of eligibility remaining. Could he probably get up to 295lbs over that period of time and play in the defensive tackle rotation? Sure. However, with the addition of the likes of Brewu and Gray, the return of Mukam, Burgess' move to the interior and guys like Davion Dixon coming on strong, I can't see a lot of snaps for Mullins. By comparison, there isn't an obvious #4 defensive end heading into the season behind Traore, Young and Keeley. Loghan Thomas and the two freshman are probably nothing more than pass rushing specialists in 2026. I could easily see Mullins cutting some weight and playing plenty of meaningful snaps as a 2-deep DE in 2026, with a real shot of both Young and Traore heading to the NFL and Mullins playing a similar or even greater role as a power end in 2027.
 
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IrishInOntario

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If he's 292 lbs with a bicep vein.. Lord be merciful to all the children he lines up against next year.
I've heard that number and other numbers in that range as well, from 2 ND media sources (Driskell and I believe Brice) and a third source that shall remain nameless.
 

rtrn2glory

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Yeah at that size you gotta just let him eat on the inside. He could be quick at DT at that size but slow at end. The little I watched him against Syracuse last year that was the impression I got anyway
 

ulukinatme

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Bluto

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Man. That’s a big dude.

If this guy plays up to his potential and Onye gets a waiver the defense is going to be the most talented at all three levels in thirty plus years.
 
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irishandy

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Did he play on special teams last season? I was impressed with the depth we had in 2025, the depth for 2026 looks to be better.
 
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